Black Rhinoceros

Black Rhinoceros

Big Impression

The black rhino is an imposing animal, weighing in at more than one ton. Its habit of charging at moving objects makes it a mammal to be avoided, especially since its eyesight isn't great.

This species has two horns. The front (anterior) horn is larger and measures up to 55 inches, while the rear (posterior) horn is smaller and measures up to 22 inches. Rhino horns are made of keratin, or densely compressed hair. Keratin is the same material that makes up human hair and fingernails.

What's in a Name?

Black rhinoceros are actually not black at all. The species probably derives its name as a distinction from the white rhino (itself a misnomer) and/or from the dark-colored local soil that often covers its skin after wallowing in mud.

Territorial Vegetarians

Living primarily in grasslands, savannahs and tropical bush lands, black rhinos are browsers with prehensile upper lips adapted for grasping and holding leaves and branches of shrubs and trees.

Black rhinos are semi-social and territorial. Adult females have overlapping ranges while males are generally solitary and may be territorial. Black rhino home ranges vary greatly depending on the habitat and to some extent on sex and age.

Black rhinos may live up to 35 years in the wild. Females reach sexual maturity between ages 4 and 7; males mature between ages 7 and 10. Gestation lasts approximately 15-16 months, with a single calf being the norm.

Critically Endangered

Millions of years ago, rhinos could be found in North America and Europe as well as in Africa and Asia. There are five surviving rhino species, three of which are critically endangered. The black rhino and white rhino are found in Africa, while the greater one-horned rhino, Sumatran rhino, and Javan rhino call Asia home.

During the last century, the black rhino has suffered the most drastic decline in total numbers of all rhino species. Between 1970 and 1992, its population dropped by 96%. By 1993, only 2,300 individuals survived in the wild.

Illegal Poaching

The black rhinoceros has been pushed to the brink of extinction by illegal poaching for their horns, and to a lesser extent by loss of habitat. A major market for these horns, Arab nations use them to make ornately carved handles for ceremonial daggers. The horn is also falsely believed to be medicine in many Asian cultures. With the growing purchasing power of many Asian countries and the existence of organized gangs of poachers, the threat to rhinos remains great.

Help for Rhinos

In response, a group of concerned individuals and institutions founded the Black Rhino Foundation in 1989. In 1993, this foundation expanded its mission and became the International Rhino Foundation, which is dedicated to rhino conservation and research. Conservationists' intensive anti-poaching efforts had encouraging results in the 1990s and 2000s and the number of black rhinos in the wild began increasing very slowly. Unfortunately, there has been a resurgence of poaching in recent years and this activity is again posing a significant threat to wild black rhino populations. Current estimates show 5,055 individual black rhinos are now alive - all precious representatives of the glorious history of the rhino family.

Zoo Supports Conservation in the Wild

The Saint Louis Zoo's WildCare Institute Center for Conservation in the Horn of Africa was established to provide in situ and ex situ conservation support for the wildlife of the Horn of Africa. This center's work in Kenya with the Northern Rangelands Trust benefits black rhinos. In addition, each year the St. Louis Chapter of American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) sponsors Bowling for Rhinos, a fundraising bowl-a-thon which supports the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia and Bukit Barisan Selatan and Way Kambas National Parks in Sumatra.

On March 11, 2016 a female black rhino in Sera Community Rhino Sanctuary, Kenya, gave birth to a healthy calf, and made history. This is the first black rhino to be born on community land in northern Kenya for over 25 years, and demonstrates the strength of the growing community conservation movement. The calf also represents the community's hopes that the Sanctuary can nurture a viable breeding population of black rhino; that could eventually help repopulate other community conservation areas. Read more. The Zoo's WildCare Institute and AAZK have provided funding to the Sera Community Rhino Sanctuary.

At the Saint Louis Zoo

Because of their endangered status, the Zoo's black rhinos are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Black Rhino Species Survival Plan (SSP), a program to manage a genetically healthy population of black rhinos in North American zoos. Currently there are 62 black rhinos in 26 institutions. In all, eight black rhino calves have been born at the Saint Louis Zoo.

Ruka, the first black rhinoceros to be born at the Saint Louis Zoo in 20 years was born January 14, 2011, to first-time parents, mother Kati Rain and father Ajabu. At age 4, Ruka moved to the Oregon Zoo to pair with a compatible female at the recommendation of the SSP. Ruka's parents live at River's Edge.

Palm Oil Shopping Guide

Rhino habitat is being destroyed to make way for palm oil plantations. Purchasing products with certified sustainable palm oil will help the rhinoceros and other animals in the wild. Support companies that have joined the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). See more on palm oil.

Artwork To Save Rhinos

A limited number of rhino-created, 8x10 paintings are available in honor of World Rhino Day.Proceeds from the sale of these limited edition paintings will go to rhino conservation projects. Artwork may be purchased only through our web site.